Day 8 finish on 21-06-16 - Inveraray - Scotland.

Day 8. Date  21-06-16. Time: 20:10. So today was a dry start but it didn't last long. We dropped into a place called Nardini’s in Largs, Scotland where they sold world famous ice cream. Must admit I had never heard of it and wonder if anyone reading this had. I suspect it is well known in Scotland. The scenery leaving Largs was just breathtaking, as we made our way down Gourock to catch the ferry to Dunoon. During this leg we got soaked – no surprises there. The ferry trip was again surrounded by fantastic views. We then rode around Holy Loch and worked our way up around Loch Fyne to Inveraray to stay at the Loch  Fyne hotel – getting soaked once again along the way. I must say we are being treated to some stunning views – Scottish countryside is truly beautiful and picturesque and that alone takes your mind off the drenching, which we are getting used to now along with managing wet kit.

I woke up with my right  knee feeling better, but I was nagged by it throughout the whole of today – but the discomfort was less intense making it much more tolerable. This allowed me up the pace a bit, but climbs are predominately being tackled by heavily favouring my better leg – pretty much powering up them one legged. The last bit of the cycle ride around Loch Fyne to Inveraray was heavy rain and headwind, which really put the bad knee to test – we will see tomorrow if I pay a toll for that. Here's hoping it will be even better tomorrow. I am having an early night to give myself the best shot at that. Tomorrow we do 95miles on the way to Loch Lochy with some climbs in there as well. Please get a bit better leg!! Looking forward to some more breathtaking scenery. Paul.

Day 7 finish on 20-06-16 - Kilmarnoch - Scotland

Day 7. Date  20-06-16. Time: 20:30. Rain Rain Rain and more Rain. So today started wet and we donned the wet gear yet again. Weather cleared up after approx 10 miles but by then pretty wet. We made it to Scotland today, and it was a great motivational boost, as I am still nursing as best I can the hamstring injury on my right leg which is also affecting the knee, which still pangs each time I rotate the pedals. However today that mainly cleared up after 10 miles but still chose to remind me at various points throughout the day. We did 94 miles today mostly into a strong headwind and reached Kilmarnoch. The hotel is right next to Kilmarnock Football Stadium, so I made sure I touched the walls – just something that gives me pleasure as I try to touch or see as many football stadiums in the country as I  can.

Anyway, today was a varied day and I learned how to ride a tad technically in a group using a technique called ‘through and off’ – this involves being at the front and peeling off to the right to rest as you drop back to rejoin the group at the back on the left.  The idea is to move up again on the left without expending any more energy and you only spend about 7 seconds at the front before peeling off again. It helps in talking headwinds, as you only have to deal with it for a few seconds before resting. Got that – hmmm I think I probably confused myself :)

I also ended up loosing this well organised group and spent about 40 miles battling a headwind on the relatively deserted Scottish roads on my own without a GPS. With a sore knee that was quite a lonely and moral zapping time. But I have made it. Now to sleep and hope my knee is a bit better in the morning. We are off to Inveraray at 82 miles. We even have to catch a ferry. Paul.

Day 6 finish on 19-06-16 - Carlise

Day 6. Date: 19-06-16. Time: 23:32. Hooray no rain this morning – that really brings a smile to my face. And do you know another thing that brings a smile to my face – my wonderful sister-in-laws, of which one, who is an Osteopath, has salvaged this cycling challenge from the brink of disaster. I called her desperately needing advice on

how to manage the problems with my right knee and the advice she gave absolutely enabled me to complete todays stage even though I still woke with a very stiff right knee and it panged every revolution of the first 8 miles of this mornings ride. So a massive big thank you to her and can’t wait to see you after this ride.
Today we cycled through the Lake District through Kendall and onto Carlisle, with Shap Fell kindly putting in a appearance along the way. The organisers advised us to get a good night sleep as we will need it get through the morning and make it over the Fell to Shap for lunch. The views were fantastic and the descents were exhilarating. We had a dry ride for 80 miles and got soaked for the last 12 miles on the run down to Carlise, which is frustrating, as again another set of wet kit.
So tomorrow is Kilmarnock at 96 miles. I really hope the knee is a bit better in the morning. I have changed my perspective from yesterday – I think I now prefer it to rain rather than have knee pain – it is always easier to be wise after the event. Paul.

Day 5 (snippet). This is not the way to ride a bicycle - this happened at the top of a very big hill in Wales when I forgot to unclip out of my pedals. You need to twist the screen 180 degrees as it has been taken upside down.

Day 5 finish on 18-06-16 - Preston

Day 5. Date:18-06-16. Time: 22:47. After yesterday's ride to Shrewsbury I hit a low during recovery - the distance and hills took it's toll on me emotionally.  However, today I am back again with renewed spirt. Guess what - today it wasn't raining - miracles do happen. That really helps with motovation even when you know you have picked up an injury from the day before, which has reared it's head overnight. So today it was all about doing the 85 miles to Preston and gritting your teeth when the hamstring at the back of my right knee started to bite - and it did most of the way. Whilst on the left knee I was reunited with Patella Tendinitis which had dogged me during my training. But do you know what - it wasn't raining and therefore watching the Welsh and English countryside roll by on the way to Preston with some increased energy levels was the perfect antidote for the injury woes. I am worried what overnight may bring in terms of my right knee stiffening up - but bring on some more beautiful countryside and no rain and that will make the discomfort diminish significantly. It is Carlisle tomorrow at 86 miles. Apparently the morning is all about climbing and the afternoon descending - wish I could just pitch up for the afternoon :) Time to sleep now. Paul.

Day 4 (snippet). Date 17:06:16. Time: 23:10. If the cycle ride gets all too much you can always throw your bicycle off the Severn bridge and give up :o)

Day 4 finish 17-06-16 Shrewsbury.

Day 4. Date 17:06:16 Time: 8:20. Well I did it – the first time I managed to complete over 100 miles and it hurt. It really hurt. I though it was meant to be flat but the climbs were dreadful for such a long overall distance. Scheduled to do 102 but I ended up doing 106  as kept circling back to  ensure my riders I had grouped with for the day were OK. We ate now in Shrewsbury. Had such an eventful day. Started quite demoralisingly as it was raining at the start and I knew we had a very long way to go. For those who play golf you would know exactly what I mean – nothing worse than turning up to the first tee and it is raining. Anyway it cleared up after about 20 miles. Today we went over the Severn bridge to cross into Wales, which is  such a fantastic marker for this journey and we got some pics.  However, just after crossing it one of my group got a puncture, he fixed it whilst we waited for him, then the new tube got punctured as there was still a sharp bit in the tyre, then the next tube exploded when it got pumped up. Finally 4 inner tubes later he got if fixed – but it put us 45 minutes behind. The same chap then crashed later when he got another puncture – he also had crashed the day before. Let's hope that is the end of his bad luck. To catch up the time I caught the back end of a fast threesome and went like a train – just like on the TV. This was a real experience for me as I am learning all the time  and it just shows how powerful group riding can be due to Aerodynamics.  Later I had a silly accident, as I didn't step out of my cleats quick enough and ended up rolling over on my back with the bike still stuck to me pointing up in the air. I was ok and it was pretty funny really. Anyway, tomorrow is a bit shorter at 86 miles on our way to Preston but I have learned it doesn't mean it will be any  easier. Nothing is easy about this – nothing. I’m tired, I ache, I’m emotional, but I am determined to keep going. Paul

Day 3. Date: 16-06-16. Time 22:55. So that was a little bit easier than yesterday but still 71 miles to get to Bristol. Can't belive we have travelled so far in just 3 days. Today a few tough climbs but on weary legs they felt like mountains. Really enjoyed today's ride and starting to get in the swing of things. A major challenge today was time as we started off early so that we could try and make it to the hotel in time to watch England play Wales in the European championships - missed the beginning but managed to see all the goals. Tomorrow is 102 miles to Shrewsbury - I have never ridden that far. I thought it was flat but my room mate just said there are loads of climbs and it is the second hardest day!!! Hopefully I can get through it but now I must sleep. Oh I learned something today - when riding down a wet single track lane covered in horse muck never ride directly behind another rider. Need I say more. Paul.

Day 3 finish 16-06-16 Bristol